Exam tip 1:

There is no negative marking; therefore, it is advisable to answer all the questions. 

Exam tip 2:

All API questions are multi choice (4 possible answers). API never uses terms such as ‘’ none of the above’ or ‘all of the above’ as possible answer.

Exam tip 3:

When solving the doubtful questions, try to understand as why a particular answer may be right while the other three given answers should be wrong. Eliminate wrong answers to increase your chances of picking the correct answer.

Note: You can eliminate wrong answers by holding the curser on them and right click therefore short listing the possible correct answers.

Exam tip 4:

Please note that sometimes the wrong answer is quite a valid statement, but it is the wrong answer simply because it is either not relevant to the question or the question asked is in negative form (NOT or EXCEPT). Hence, it is very important that you carefully read and understand the question.

Exam tip 5:

Some questions are solely based on your experience as an inspector. API calls them ‘’practical questions’’.

Remember that all certifications require certain level of experience in addition to the education and knowledge. We have provided ample pictures and half a dozen video clips to help you understand practical type of questions.

Exam tip 3:

You have approximately 1.5 minutes to answer each question on average. Open book questions may take considerable time where as closed book questions can be answered in seconds. Hence, it is recommended to flag off those questions including open book questions (most starting with: ‘’according to OHSA’’) that are taking considerable time and come back to them at the end.

Note: there is a flag off bottom below each question.

Exam tip 6:

Some API exam questions contain irrelevant information. This is not aimed to confuse you but to verify whether you can differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information in an actual scenario.

Exam Tips 8:

API intends to verify your understanding of principles and theory; interpretation and evaluation; so mere memorizing the facts and figures of the study materials does not really help.

Exam Tips 9:

Most questions are either rephrased or brought within a context or is within a scenario, or the question and answer are swapped. Hence, it is very important that you have a clear understanding of context, concepts and fundamentals.

Exam Tips 10:

Time management is not normally a problem as long as you keep a healthy pace of questions answered versus time spent. The API 1169 exam is 3 hours long to answer 110 questions. 

This leaves you with approximately 1.5 minutes per question maximum.

Please note that time using the toilet, checking out and in, commenting on any question, reviewing the questions, etc. is coming off your allowance.

For better time management, flag off those questions you are not sure of and revisit them once you have completed all other questions.

Exam Tips 11:

Remember that all questions carry equal marks and the minimum passing grade is around 70%, so, it is logical to attempt smaller questions quickly and then in the remaining time, try re-attempting those questions that are longer, more complicated, or you are simply stuck spending too much time on it without any progress.

Exam Tips 12:

Although education can offset for less experience, you should appreciate the fact that unless one does not have real hands-on experience in the field, it would be difficult to ‘’FEEL’ the underlying reasons behind some of the codes, standards and recommended practices.

The experience is gained through observation, power of deduction and is eventually a common sense really.

Try to compensate lack of practical experience watching video clips of pipeline construction phases in Google/YouTube.